Project: The Book of Boundaries
Studio Leader: Mladen Jadric, Seung H-Sang, TU Wien
Teaching Assitant: Federica Rizzo
Photos: Lukas Pichelmann
Disclaimer: Copyright of all visual and written contents is sole properties of TU Wien University of Technology Vienna Faculty of Architecture and Urban planning
Hosted by: Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2019
Curator: Sanki Choe, Seoul Biennale Global Studio
Studio Members: Balci Emine, Chergarska Alexandrina, Cicek Selen, Ganeva Luiza, Inal Kübra, Karabulut Simel, Kazanpinar Betül, Kompatscher Fabian, Köroglu Beyza, Kovacevic Andjela,Kuyumcu Ezgisu,Lee Go-Eun,Lucich Valentina,Majkanovic Aleksandra,Manea Roberta-Andreea,Mihaylova Mila Stiliyanova, Misic Andjela, Ossola Filippo, Ovcina Hajrudin, Pavel Alexandra Mihaela, Sánchez Fernández Laura, Selicato Sara Wessila, Slavcheva Preslava, Softa Redon, Stojkov Branislav, Sztastyik Tamara, Takla Sherif, Tochkova Mariya, Tosa Valeria, Yasin Marwa
In the course of the exhibition at the Biennale in Seoul, Mladen Jadric is taking part at the Global Studio Symposium! More Information
The Book of Boundaries:
Thae project is a parallel intervention in two cities, a creative refurbishment of the typical “Dormitory Town”- one housing project built in Handelskai, Vienna and the second one in Jamsil, Seoul. The main goal is to design tools helping us to overcome a social and physical phenomenon of “boundaries” in urban society. Proposed solutions are named “social prostheses” – they are physical additions installed in four strategic areas: roof-landscapes, façade, interiors and spaces “in between”. Their goal is to improve the quality of living and to enable and/or intensify physical and social interaction among the tenants. Studio works are created according to the principle of collective design – every single project is the result of solidarity, a collective endeavour, leading to innovative design solutions.
An analysis of the contemporary situation in Vienna and Seoul includes documenting social and general community boundaries. This experience was a crucial for understanding the need for a collective city. The topic was explored on both a micro and a macro scale. For example, the micro scale in this instance refers to universal needs like preparing food, which constitutes the nucleus of every home. The big scale refers to social spaces within a house or the public space along the river bank in a similar context.
The Book of Boundaries explores the problem of social- and physical cocooning, the phenomena of limits and exclusivity in urban society, and offers solutions as to how to overcome this process. Intercultural dialog within the relevant frameworks explores these familiar phenomena within a non-familiar cultural and social context to facilitate a mutual learning experience and help create sustainable social communities.
Seung H- Sang and Mladen Jadric
Vienna, Handelskai:
The Handelskai complex was built in 1975, due to the lack of affordable housing which enforced a refurbishing attempt. After the Danube regulation in the 1870s the housing complex in Handelskai became a significant development area. The goal was to create new facilities, that integrate within the environment, a reduction in traffic, easy accessibility for the public, and above all, equipped with the necessary local amenities.
The 400m long residential complex is located at the main road; Handelskai extending along the Danube. The proximity to the riverbank elevates the potential of the residential building. The bustling main road acts as a barrier between the riverside and the complex, the only thing connecting them being a pedestrian bridge.
Due to the fact that the building consists of varying heights, it allows for an influx of sunlight towards the courtyards, and a picturesque view of the Danube. The characteristics of the complex lies in its semi-public courtyards creating an area of high potential public interactions. The space is not only recognised for the dwellers but also intended for passers-by to engage, thus inviting people inside. The building acts as a partition between the courtyards and the garage, solely connected via passages. The Parking garage shields the zone of the interior from the traffic noise of the main road; in a way creating a sheltered space. As you walk through the gap between the complex and the garage, it is evident that the repeating concrete structure creates an unattractive atmosphere preventing the complex to be used to its full potential. Therefore there is a lack of elicit public space. Regardless of these flaws it is clear that not a vast amount of intervening is necessary and the initial goal of urban development can be applied through selective prosthetics.
Seoul, Jamsil Complex 5:
Built in 1978, the Jamsil 5 complex is known not only for being the first project with 15-storey highrise buildings, but also for being considered one of the first extra-large complexes, a new city within the city, the Jamsil New Town.
However, despite its strategic location (with the Han River to the north and a commercial downtown area to the south), the Jamsil complex does not stand out equally for its integration into the surrounding urban tissue. Surrounded by busy streets in all directions, the area is not only private-oriented, but also introspective and non-communicating to the outside environment.
In addition to this, crossing the complex on foot one can immediately recognize how the vast public and semi-public external space available on the ground due to the verticalization of the living area is also unattractive and not exploited to the full: this phenomenon is due to the monotony of the latter, characterized by a dispersive raster, the huge presence of vehicles in the parterre and a ratio of spatial densification inefficiencies to the quality of the atmosphere.
In the light of these facts, it is not surprising that in recent years a call for tenders has been issued for the reconstruction and revitalization of the entire area. However, in our opinion, the latter does not require a tabula raza approach – which would create great discomfort for the large number of inhabitants of the area and would erase from the history of the city of Seoul a complex that marks an important moment in urban development – but a prosthetic one, which solves not only the problems mentioned above but also strengthens and extends through new opportunities the identity of the Jamsil 5 complex.
